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FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship:
Iran retains perfect run with Pakistan rout
Captain and opposite Sina Hazrati and outside hitter Arash Ashrafi spearheaded Iran with a game-high 16 points apiece. Ashrafi was particularly efficient in attack, converting 14 of 24 attempts, while Hazrati contributed 13 attacks, two blocks and an ace.
Outside hitter Azhvan Namazi added 11 points as Iran, having beaten Algeria in straight sets in their Pool E opener on Wednesday, secured a place in the round of 16.
Muhammad Waleed Khan led Pakistan with seven points, while captain Muhammad Irfan and Faizan Ullah scored six each. However, Iran’s wider range of attacking options and blocking pressure allowed it to take control of the match and close it out in three sets.
Tested through two competitive opening sets, Iran gradually found more opportunities in attack and at the net, turning a close contest into a more convincing finish in the third.
The victory carried special significance for the Iranian boys, as they avenged the two defeats suffered against Pakistan at last year’s Asian U16 Championship. Pakistan came out on top in four sets in the second-round pool phase before rallying from two sets down to stun the traditional Asian powerhouse in the final in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
“The game brought back some bitter memories for the Iranian team, and the players had been counting down the days to face Pakistan again and avenge the two defeats at the Asian championship,” Sadeqiani said after the match.
“I can confidently say that we were playing against several age groups of the Pakistan national team at the same time today. Of course, everyone knows that this team uses older players,” added the Iranian head coach.
Sadeqiani identified attack as one of Pakistan’s main strengths but said his players had neutralized it with solid defense.
“Attack was one of Pakistan’s strengths, and our players managed to contain that strength with good defense. Overall, we had a good game.”
Next for Sadeqiani and his boys is a game against Chinese Taipei today at Aspire Ladies Hall, while Pakistan will face Algeria on Monday.
Elsewhere, defending champion France, Italy and Bulgaria also maintained their perfect runs on Friday, with 2024 silver medalist Argentina responding to its opening-day defeat by sweeping Mexico in straight sets.
Jaden Ebagne Yon and Noé Sognon shared the scoring lead with 15 points each as France made it two wins from two in Pool A with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-11) victory over host Qatar. The identical set scores reflected France’s consistency throughout the match, with its attack producing 37 points alongside nine blocks and three aces.
Italy, meanwhile, faced its first real setback in Doha after India snapped the championship-wide run of 12 consecutive straight-set matches by taking the second set. The champions, however, bounced back to win 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-19, 25-18) in Pool B.